Optimized Control Method for Power Distribution Scheduling in a Microgrid Controller

The present disclosure relates generally to microgrids and, for example, to a microgrid controller configured to control or manage an operation of a microgrid.

A microgrid is a self-sufficient energy system that serves a particular geographic area, such as a college campus, a hospital complex, a business center, a neighborhood, a mining site, a drilling site, and/or the like. Within a microgrid are one or more kinds of distributed energy resources (DERs) (e.g., solar panels, wind turbines, fuel cells, photovoltaic (PV) cells, generators, energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, capacitors, etc.), and/or other energy sources) that produce power for the microgrid. Some microgrids are configured as off-grid electrical power distribution systems (e.g., stand-alone microgrids or islands) that do not connect to a larger electrical power distribution system (e.g., a macrogrid) run by, for example, an electric utility or power plant. Some microgrids are able to operate in a grid-connected mode and in a stand-alone mode. In a grid-connected mode, a microgrid may operate connected to and synchronous with the larger electrical power distribution system. In a stand-alone mode, the microgrid may be disconnected from the larger electrical power distribution system and operate as a stand-alone microgrid. A microgrid controller may control whether the microgrid operates in the grid-connected mode or in the stand-alone mode, for example, based on a schedule or based on one or more conditions being satisfied.

Scheduling different dispatch schemes for a microgrid can be a resource drain on system resources (e.g., processor resources, such as processing bandwidth, of the microgrid controller) and could potentially slow down issuing the dispatch schemes. For example, when setting up schedules for yearly and daily operation cycles, the processing required for scheduling and dispatching various energy resource combinations that have to be created, saved, and executed can be complicated and processing intensive.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2019/0156438 A1 (“the '438 publication”) discloses an Energy Management Layer (EML) that optimizes a production schedule for the performance of at least one task by at least one production unit. In the '438 publication, the EML integrates factories into a smart grid by optimizing production schedules according to smart grid conditions, including time varying energy price information from a utility reflecting a unit cost of energy for a pre-determined time period in a near future timeframe. The production schedule is optimized at least in part by the time varying energy price information to minimize costs and enhance smart grid engagement, and occurs during a time window taking into account the periodic schedule of energy prices. However, the '438 publication does not disclose a seed schedule that is adapted to optimize resource utilization for power dispatch schedulers in microgrid controllers.

The microgrid controller of the present disclosure solves one or more of the problems set forth above and/or other problems in the art. For example, the microgrid controller may execute an optimized power dispatch (distribution) schedule that enables more efficient dispatch schemes and faster implementation of the dispatch schemes. The microgrid controller may derive the optimized power dispatch schedule from a seed power dispatch schedule such that processor resources used for dispatch scheduling are reduced during dispatch scheduling and execution.

In some implementations, a microgrid controller of a microgrid includes one or more memories configured to store a power distribution schedule comprising a plurality of time segments; a communication interface configured to receive energy resource information corresponding to a plurality of energy resource systems connected to the microgrid, and output control signals for controlling an operation of each energy resource system of the plurality of energy resource systems; and one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, configured to: monitor a current time to determine a current time segment among the plurality of time segments; and generate the control signals based on the current time segment within the power distribution schedule to dynamically control the operation of each energy resource system of the plurality of energy resource systems, including: assigning, based on the current time segment, each energy resource system of the plurality of energy resource systems to a plurality of groups, including a first group of energy resource systems and a second group of energy resource systems, generating, based on the current time segment, one or more first control signals to enable the first group of energy resource systems among the plurality of energy resource systems to supply power to the microgrid, and generating, based on the current time segment, one or more second control signals to disable the second group of energy resource systems among the plurality of energy resource systems from supplying power to the microgrid.

In some implementations, a control method includes executing a power distribution schedule comprising a plurality of time segments; receiving energy resource information corresponding to a plurality of energy resource systems associated with a microgrid; monitoring a current time relative to the power distribution schedule to determine a current time segment among the plurality of time segments; assigning, based on the current time segment, each energy resource system of the plurality of energy resource systems to a plurality of groups, including a first group of energy resource systems and a second group of energy resource systems; generating, based on the current time segment, one or more first control signals to enable the first group of energy resource systems among the plurality of energy resource systems to supply power to the microgrid; and generating, based on the current time segment, one or more second control signals to disable the second group of energy resource systems among the plurality of energy resource systems from supplying power to the microgrid.

In some implementations, a scheduling method includes prompting, by a human-machine interface, a selection of a first power distribution schedule as a seed schedule; providing, by the human-machine interface, a schedule identifier of the first power distribution schedule to a microgrid controller; extracting, by the microgrid controller, the first power distribution schedule from a schedule database based on the schedule identifier; copying, by the microgrid controller, the first power distribution schedule as a second power distribution schedule; reconfiguring, by the microgrid controller, the second power distribution schedule based on one or more operation parameters to generate a third power distribution schedule that includes a plurality of time segments with defined energy resource allocations for each time segment; assigning, by the microgrid controller, based on a current time segment of the third power distribution schedule, each energy resource system of a plurality of energy resource systems to a plurality of groups, including a first group of energy resource systems and a second group of energy resource systems; generating, by the microgrid controller, based on the current time segment, one or more first control signals to enable the first group of energy resource systems among the plurality of energy resource systems to supply power to a microgrid; and generating, by the microgrid controller, based on the current time segment, one or more second control signals to disable the second group of energy resource systems among the plurality of energy resource systems from supplying power to the microgrid.

This disclosure relates to a power distribution system, and is applicable to any system that distributes and/or receives power via a power grid. Some aspects relate to a microgrid controller that is configured to control one or more components and/or systems associated with the microgrid, including energy resource systems and/or loads. The microgrid controller may control a state of the microgrid based on one or more conditions being satisfied.

The microgrid controller executes a power distribution schedule based on energy resource information received from a plurality of energy resource systems connected to the microgrid to dynamically manage which energy resource systems supply power to the microgrid and which energy resource systems are disabled from supplying power to the microgrid during different time segments provided in the power distribution schedule. The microgrid controller may derive the power distribution schedule from a seed power distribution schedule to reduce processor resources used to generate and execute the power distribution schedule. A reduction in processor resources may enable the microgrid controller to dispatch instructions to one or more energy resource systems in a faster and more efficient manner to ensure a more efficient operation of the microgrid, including a more efficient distribution of power to one or more loads. These loads can be active (real) or reactive to allow for a power quality-based approach to scheduling.

shows a systemaccording to one or more implementations. The systemmay include a human-to-machine interface (HMI), an external controller, a power system, and one or more loads.

The power systemmay be a microgrid or other type of electrical power distribution system that may provide power to the one or more loads. In some cases, the power systemmay be an off-grid electrical power distribution system. In some cases, the power systemmay be configurable to operate in a grid-connected mode and in a stand-alone mode. The power systemmay include a microgrid controller, a non-stabilizing group of energy resource systems(e.g., a non-stabilizing group of DERs), a stabilizing group of energy resource systems(e.g., a stabilizing group of DERs), and interfacesand. Generally, “off-grid” may mean that the electrical power distribution system is not connected to a larger electrical power distribution system run by, for example, an electric utility or other large-scale electric power generation plant that serves electricity to a geographic area, campus, compound, etc. However, techniques disclosed herein may still be applied to electrical power distribution systems that are connected to larger electrical power distribution systems. For instance, the larger electrical power distribution systems may operate as a power source in a primary provider role or secondary provider role, while the power systemmay operate as a power source in the other of the primary provider role or secondary provider role.

The non-stabilizing group of energy resource systemsmay include one or more energy generator systems. Each energy generator systemmay include a power generator (e.g., an engine-generator, a fuel cell, a PV cell, or other power generating system) and a local generator controller communicatively coupled to the microgrid controller. Thus, each energy generator systemmay generate power from a respective power source. Each local generator controller may control how much power a respective power generator generates, control a rate of power distribution, and/or obtain status information corresponding to the respective power generator. Each local generator controller may be controlled by the microgrid controller.

The stabilizing group of energy resource systemsmay include one or more energy storage systems (ESSs). Each energy storage systemmay include an electric storage device (e.g., one or more batteries and/or capacitors) and a local ESS controller communicatively coupled to the microgrid controller. Each local ESS controller may control a flow of power into or out of a respective electric storage device, including charging of the respective electric storage device and discharging of the respective electric storage device, control a rate of power flow, and/or obtain status information corresponding to the respective electric storage device, such as state-of-charge (SOC), state-of-health (SOH), discharge limit, and other device parameters. Each local ESS controller may be controlled by the microgrid controller.

The systemmay also include one or more breakers(e.g., distribution breakers or switches) that may be individually controlled by the microgrid controllerto connect a respective loadto the power systemor disconnect the respective loadfrom the power system. The one or more breakersmay be part of one or both interfacesand.

The HMImay include one or more processors, and may be configured to receive and process one or more inputs from a user, such as an operator. Additionally, the HMImay be configured to provide one or more prompts or outputs to the user. Thus, the HMImay be a user terminal configured to interact with a user to process information and/or commands provided by the user, provide information to the user (e.g., status information), and/or perform one or more tasks or functions in response to processing the information and/or commands provided by the user. The HMImay be communicatively coupled to the external controller, which may be communicatively coupled to the microgrid controller. In some implementations, the HMImay be communicatively coupled directly to the microgrid controller. The external controllermay send commands to and receive information from the microgrid controller. For example, the external controllermay send commands to the microgrid controllerbased on information received from the HMI. Thus, the external controllermay be a user-commanded controller. The external controllermay be integrated with the HMI. The external controllermay be a controller of a larger electrical power distribution system (e.g., a macrogrid, a power generation plant, and/or electric utility provider).

The power systemmay provide electrical power to the one or more loads. Generally, the power systemmay provide alternating current (AC) power at a particular voltage and a particular current. The microgrid controllermay control one or more energy storage systemsto instantaneously inject power when power is needed by the power systemor instantaneously absorb surplus power generated by the power system. Accordingly, one of more electric storage devices of the energy storage systemsmay act as a power consumer on one or more energy generator systemsor as a power source for the one or more energy generator systems, to thereby ensure that system bus frequencies of the non-stabilizing group of energy resource systemsare maintained at a nominal value. In other words, the microgrid controllermay control the stabilizing group of energy resource systemsto stabilize loads of the non-stabilizing group of energy resource systemsin order to maintain the non-stabilizing group of energy resource systemsat a relatively constant load, which may reduce a recurrence of frequency deviations from the nominal value.

The microgrid controllermay be integrated with, or separate from (but connected to), the interfacesand, the energy generator systems, and the energy storage systems, or combinations thereof. In this manner, a user may, through interaction with the HMI, add or remove energy generator systemsto increase/reduce system power generation and/or add or remove energy storage systemsto increase/reduce system energy storage capacity, in accordance with a user's preference. For instance, a user may prefer to add additional energy generator systemsand/or add additional energy storage systemsto increase load capacity if additional loadsare expected to be connected to the power system, or remove energy generator systemsand/or remove energy storage systemsto decrease load capacity if loadsare expected to be disconnected from the power system. Additionally, the microgrid controllermay be configured to add or remove energy generator systemsand/or add or remove energy storage systemsfrom the power systembased one or more conditions being satisfied. In some cases, the microgrid controllermay be configured to add or remove energy generator systemsand/or add or remove energy storage systemsfrom the power systembased on a schedule.

The one or more loadsmay be any device that can connect to a power distribution system, such as the power system, to receive electrical power. Examples of loads may include heavy machinery (e.g., electric mining machines, haulers, etc.), personal devices, appliances, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, industrial drills, personal residence electrical distribution systems, etc. The loadsmay include one or more non-stable loads, such as one or more cyclic loads. The loadsmay include unidirectional loads (e.g., loads that can only receive power from the power system), bi-directional loads (e.g., loads that can both receive power from the power systemand provide power to the power system), charging loads (e.g., loads that include a chargeable electric battery), essential loads (e.g., loads that require uninterrupted service), and/or non-essential loads (e.g., loads that do not require uninterrupted service). Loads may be assigned different priorities based on load type, load classification, and/or operation state or mode.

Generally, the one or more loadsmay receive the power from the power systemand use the power in accordance with the operations of the one or more loads. Users of the power systemand the one or more loadsmay connect/disconnect the one or more loadsby electrically connecting the one or more loadsto the interfacesandof the power system. For instance, the interfacesandmay have AC plugs/sockets to connect the one or more loadsin parallel to the one or more energy generator systemsand the one or more energy storage systemsof the power system. One or more loadsmay include a local load controller that may collect load information and transmit the load information to the microgrid controller. Load information may include information indicating a load type, a load classification, and/or an operation state or mode of a load. The loads can be active (real) or reactive to allow for a power quality-based approach to scheduling. Load information may include load data of a load, such as maximum load and minimum load. For chargeable loads, load information may include maximum charging load, maximum state of charge, minimum state of charge, current state of charge, and usable discharge energy as a function of the current state of charge. Load information may be received by the microgrid controllervia the interfacesand, which may include one or more communication interfaces coupled to the microgrid controller.

The interfacesandmay also have a plurality of generator connections and a plurality of energy store connections. The plurality of generator connections may be hardwired electrical connections and/or AC plugs/sockets to connect the one or more energy generator systemsin parallel to the at least one loadand the one or more energy storage systems. The plurality of energy store connections may be hardwired electrical connections and/or AC plugs/sockets to connect the one or more energy storage systemsin parallel to the one or more loadsand the one or more energy generator systems. For instance, the power systemmay or may not allow addition/removal of energy generator systemsand/or addition/removal of energy storage systems. Therefore, depending on a configuration, the interfacesandmay include: (1) hardwired electrical connections that connect the at least one energy generator system; (2) AC plugs/sockets to connect/disconnect the at least one energy generator system; (3) hardwired electrical connections that connect the at least one energy storage system; and/or (4) AC plugs/sockets to connect/disconnect the at least one energy storage system. The interfacesandmay be coupled to a system bus (e.g., a power bus) of the power system. The system bus may enable one of more of the energy storage systemsto absorb power from one or more energy generator systemsand/or one or more loads(e.g., for charging and/or storing power).

The one or more energy generator systemsmay also include communication interfaces. The communication interfaces of the one or more energy generator systemsmay enable the one or more energy generator systemsto communicate with the microgrid controller. For instance, the one or more energy generator systemsmay be connected to the microgrid controllerby wired or wireless communication. The one or more energy generator systemsmay provide the microgrid controllerwith generator data. The generator data, for each of the one or more energy generator systems, may include load data and/or generator parameters. The load data may include a current (e.g., instantaneous) load seen by the one or more energy generator systemsand/or past load data (if one or more energy generator systemsstore such data locally). The current load/past load data may include voltage (e.g., in volts) and/or current (e.g., in amperes) measured by one or more sensor components included in an energy generator system. The generator parameters may include a generator set maximum threshold value and a generator set minimum threshold value. Alternatively, to reduce transmission bandwidth, the generator data may omit the generator parameters, and the one or more energy generator systemsmay transmit the generator parameters during an initial configuration process between the one or more energy generator systemsand the microgrid controller. The generator set maximum threshold value and the generator set minimum threshold value may indicate a maximum power load and a minimum power load, respectively, that a generator of an energy generator systemmay support.

The one or more energy storage systemsmay be any energy storage device that can store and output AC power. For instance, the one or more energy storage systemsmay include at least one electrical-chemical energy storage (e.g., a battery), electrical energy storage (e.g., a capacitor, a supercapacitor, or a superconducting magnetic energy storage), mechanical energy storage (e.g., a fly wheel, a pump system), and/or any combination thereof. The one or more energy storage systemsmay include inverters (individually or collectively) so that the one or more energy storage systemsmay operate as a power consumer or a power source. The one or more energy storage systemsmay also include electronic control mechanisms to control (1) how much load the one or more energy storage systemsdraw, or (2) how much AC power the one or more energy storage systemsoutput.

The one or more energy storage systemsmay also include communication interfaces. The communication interfaces of the one or more energy generator systemsmay enable the one or more energy storage systemsto communicate with the microgrid controller. For instance, the one or more energy storage systemsmay be connected to the microgrid controllerby wired or wireless communication. The one or more energy storage systemsmay provide the microgrid controllerwith energy storage data and may receive instructions from the microgrid controller.

The energy storage data may include, for each of the at least one energy store, a current energy level (e.g., kilowatt-hours currently stored), total energy storage capacity (e.g., kilowatt-hours of capacity), and/or discharge/charge parameters. The current energy level may be measured by a battery meter of an energy storage. The battery meter may one or combinations of a voltmeter, an amp-hour meter, and/or an impedance-based meter. The discharge/charge parameters may indicate an amount of discharge power and an amount of charge power for a respective energy storage device of the one or more energy storage systems. Alternatively, to reduce transmission bandwidth, the energy storage data may omit the discharge/charge parameters, and the one or more energy storage systemsmay transmit the discharge/charge parameters when the one or more energy storage systemsare first connected to the microgrid controller.

The one or more energy storage systemsmay receive requests (e.g., instructions) for the energy storage data to provide the energy storage data and/or continuously provide the energy storage data to the microgrid controller. The instructions may include energy storage dispatch (ESD) instructions. An ESD instruction may include an instruction to inject power to a system bus of the power systemor absorb power from the system bus of the power system. ESD instructions may be provided in control signals (e.g., communication signals that provide the ESD instructions). At least one ESD instruction may be utilized to rapidly stabilize the load, thereby stabilizing the bus frequency of the power systemin a time efficient manner, rather than attempting to stabilize the load using the one or more energy generator systemsalone. The one or more energy storage systemsmay control the inverters and the electronic control mechanisms to control (1) quantity of load drawn by the one or more energy storage systems, or (2) the amount of AC power output produced by the one or more energy storage systems, in accordance with the ESD instructions.

The microgrid controllermay include at least one memory device (e.g., one or more memories) for storing instructions (e.g., program code); at least one processor for executing the instructions from the memory device to perform a set of desired operations; and a communication interface (e.g., coupled to a communication bus) for facilitating the communication between various system components. The instructions may be computer-readable instructions for executing a control application. The communication interface of the microgrid controllermay enable the microgrid controllerto communicate with the one or more energy generator systemsand the one or more energy storage systems. The microgrid controller, while executing the control application, may receive the generator data and the energy storage data (e.g., energy resource information), process the generator data and the energy storage data to generate one or more ESD instructions, and output the ESD instructions to one or more energy generator systemsand/or to one or more energy storage systems. To process the generator data and the energy storage data to generate the ESD instructions, the control application may refer to a power distribution schedule, stored in the one or more memories, to manage operating states of the energy resource systems (e.g., DERs).

The one or more energy storage systemsmay control the inverters and the electronic control mechanisms of the one or more energy storage systemsto control (1) how much load the one or more energy storage systemsdraw, or (2) how much AC power the one or more energy storage systemsoutput, in accordance with the transmitted ESDs. In addition, one or more energy generator systemsmay control how much AC power the one or more energy generator systemsoutput, in accordance with the transmitted ESDs.

The microgrid controllermay perform the process over again (for example, for each time segment provided in the power distribution schedule).

Moreover, the systems and methods of the present disclosure may drive the SOC of one or more energy storage systemsto a target SOC so that each energy storage systemis not maintained in a too low or too high SOC.

shows a microgridaccording to one or more implementations. The microgridmay be an example of the power systemdescribed in connection with. The microgridmay include a plurality of DERs. The plurality of DERsmay include N energy generator systemsand M energy storage systems, where N and M are integers greater than zero. For example, the plurality of DERsmay include a first energy generator system-and an Nth energy generator system-N. Additionally, the plurality of DERsmay include a first energy storage system-and an Menergy storage system-M. Each energy generator systemmay include a power generatorand a local generator controller. Each energy storage systemmay include an electric storage device(e.g., one or more batteries and/or capacitors) and a local ESS controller.

Each energy generator systemmay be coupled to a power busfor providing power to one or more loads connected to the power bus. Additionally, each energy storage systemmay be coupled to the power busfor providing power to or absorbing power from the power bus(e.g., for providing power to or absorbing power from one or more components, such as one or more loads and/or one or more energy generator systemsconnected to the power bus).

The microgridmay also include the microgrid controllerthat is communicatively coupled to the local controllers (e.g., local generator controllersand local ESS controllers) of each DERacross a communication bus. The communication busmay also enable the microgridto communicate with one or more loads and/or one or more load management systems (e.g., charging systems, fleet management systems, local load controllers, etc.). In some cases, two or more communication busesmay be provided. For example, one communication bus may be provided to communicate with local controllers and another communication bus may be provided to communicate with one or more loads and/or one or more load management systems.

Each local generator controllermay include any appropriate hardware, software, and/or firmware to sense and control a respective power generator, and send information to, and receive information from microgrid controller. For example, a local generator controllermay be configured to sense, determine, and/or store generator data of its respective power generator. The generator data may be sensed, determined, and/or stored in any conventional manner. Each local generator controllermay control whether a respective power generatoris connected to or disconnected from the power bus(for example, based on an instruction or a control signal received from the microgrid controller).

Each local ESS controllermay include any appropriate hardware, software, and/or firmware to sense and control a respective electric storage device, and send information to, and receive information from microgrid controller. For example, a local ESS controllermay be configured to sense, determine, and/or store various characteristics of its respective electric storage device. Such characteristics of the respective electric storage devicemay include, among others, a current SOC, a current energy, an SOC minimum threshold, an SOC maximum threshold, and a discharge limit of the respective electric storage device. These characteristics of respective electric storage devicemay be sensed, determined, and/or stored in any conventional manner. Each local ESS controllermay control whether a respective electric storage deviceis connected to or disconnected from the power bus(for example, based on an instruction or a control signal received from the microgrid controller).

The microgrid controllermay receive or determine a need for charging or discharging of power from the microgrid, and may be configured to determine and send signals to allocate a total charge request and/or total discharge request across all of the plurality of DERs.

When performing the power allocation functions, the microgrid controllermay allocate a certain amount of power from each energy generator systemto one or more loads. When performing the power allocation functions, the microgrid controllermay allocate a total charge request and/or a total discharge request across the energy storage systemsas a function of a usable energy capacity of each energy storage system. The usable energy capacity corresponds to the capacity or amount of energy that an energy storage systemcan receive in response to a total charging request (usable charge energy), or the capacity or amount of energy that an energy storage system can discharge in response to a total discharge request (usable discharge energy). The usable charge energy is a function of a maximum state of charge, current state of charge, and current energy of the energy storage system, and the usable discharge energy is a function of a minimum state of charge, and current energy of the energy storage system. The microgrid controllermay determine a usable charge/discharge capacity of each energy storage system(e.g., SOC), a desired charge/discharge of each energy storage system, a remainder power of each energy storage system, and/or an SOH of each energy storage system.

Thus, the microgrid controllerregulates a power supply of the microgridsuch that an exact amount of desired power flows in or out of the power systemat any given time. The microgrid controllermay regulate the power supply of the microgridin cooperation with the local generator controllersand the local ESS controllers. The microgrid controllermay transmit control signals (e.g., instructions) to the local generator controllersand the local ESS controllersto activate (e.g., to bring online), deactivate (to bring offline), or curtail (limit or regulate to a target output) one or more of the DERs. Additionally, or alternatively, the microgrid controllermay transmit control signals to one or more switchesto control a switch state (e.g., an on state or an off state) of the one or more switches, for example, to connect one or more DERsto or disconnect one or more DERsfrom the microgrid(e.g., the power bus). The switchesmay be integrated in one or both interfacesanddescribed in connection with.

In some cases, two or more power busesmay be provided. For example, a power bus may be provided to couple one or more power generatorsto one or more electric storage devicesfor charging the one or more electric storage devices. For example, the microgrid controllermay selectively couple a power generatorto an electric storage deviceto charge the electric storage device. Thus, the power busmay be part of a power distribution network of the microgridthat may include one or more power buses used to distribute power between loads and/or DERs.

The microgridmay include an interfacefor connecting the microgridto and disconnecting the microgridfrom an electrical power distribution system, such as a macrogrid. The interfacemay include one or more electrical connections used for connecting the microgridto the electrical power distribution system. The interfacemay include one or more switches or breakers that are controlled by the microgrid controllerfor connecting the microgridto and disconnecting the microgridfrom the electrical power distribution system. For example, the one or more switches or breakers of the interfacemay connect the power bus(or another system bus) to or disconnect the power bus(or another system bus) from the electrical power distribution system. Thus, the microgrid controllermay configure the microgridto operate in a grid-connected mode by connecting the microgridto the electrical power distribution systemor in a stand-alone mode by disconnecting the microgridfrom the electrical power distribution system.

The microgrid controllermay store, in one of its memories, a power distribution schedule that includes a plurality of time segments. The power distribution schedule may include energy resource scheduling and/or energy resource scheduling parameters for an entire operation cycle (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly). In some cases, an operation cycle is a single 24-hour period from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm. Thus, the plurality of time segments may be within a 24-hour period. The microgrid controllermay receive scheduling criteria and generate the power distribution schedule based on the scheduling criteria.

The plurality of time segments may include any number of time segments, and each time segment may include a respective start time and a respective end time. One or more time segments may be down to a one minute resolution, where the respective start time and the respective end time spans one minute. The time segments may be periodic or aperiodic, and/or continuous or discontinuous. However, the time segments are not overlapping. Thus, each time segment has a dedicated time interval during which the time segment is activated as a current time segment (e.g., based on a time of day). For example, the microgrid controllermay monitor a current time to determine the current time segment among the plurality of time segments. A time segment may be activated as the current time segment when the current time matches a time interval defined by the respective start time and the respective end time of the time segment. Thus, only one time segment can be the current time segment at any given time.

The microgrid controllermay generate control signals for controlling an operation of each DERbased on the current time segment to dynamically control the operation of each DERas the current time progresses through the power distribution schedule. In other words, as different time segments are activated, the microgrid controllermay change the control signals to dynamically control the operation of each DER.

For example, the microgrid controllermay assign, based on the current time segment, each DERof the plurality of DERsto a plurality of groups of DERs, including a first group of DERs and a second group of DERs. The microgrid controllermay dynamically allocate different sets of DERs to the first group of DERs for different time segments of the plurality of time segments.

The microgrid controllermay receive energy resource information corresponding to the plurality of DERsconnected to or otherwise associated with the microgrid, and may use the energy resource information to make scheduling decisions based on scheduling parameters provided in a power distribution schedule. Each time segment may include a set of scheduling parameters for the microgrid controllerto follow during that time segment.

The microgrid controllermay select DERs among the plurality of DERsfor the first group of DERs based on an expected load demand on the microgridduring the current time segment in order to satisfy the expected load demand. The microgrid controllermay determine an energy resource type of each DER (e.g., generator type, energy storage type, renewable energy resource, etc.) based on the energy resource information, and allocate DERs among the plurality of DERsto the first group of DERs based on the energy resource type of each DER and based on energy resource type criteria specified in the current time segment of the power distribution schedule. For example, the energy resource type criteria may specify that only generator type DERs should be active, only energy storage type DERs should be active, or only renewable energy DERs should be active in a particular time segment. The microgrid controllermay determine an output power of each DER based on the energy resource information, and allocate DERs among the plurality of DERsto the first group of DERs based on the output power of each DER and based on total output power criteria specified in the current time segment of the power distribution schedule.

Thus, the power distribution schedule may indicate an expected load condition on the microgridfor each time segment of the plurality of time segments, and may allocate the DERs to the first group and the second group based on the expected load condition for the current time segment in order to satisfy the expected load condition. More generally, the power distribution schedule may indicate an expected grid condition on the microgridfor each time segment of the plurality of time segments, and may allocate the DERs to the first group and the second group based on the expected grid condition for the current time segment in order to satisfy the expected grid condition.

The time segments of the power distribution schedule may also indicate whether the microgridis to be connected to or disconnected from the electrical power distribution system. The microgrid controllermay generate one or more grid control signals for controlling a connection state of the power distribution network of the microgridto the electrical power distribution system, including a grid-connected state, during which the power distribution network is connected to the electrical power distribution systemfor receiving power from the macrogrid, and a stand-alone state, during which the power distribution network is disconnected from the electrical power distribution system. The microgrid controllermay configure the microgridin the grid-connected state or the stand-alone state based on the current time segment within the power distribution schedule. For example, the microgrid controllermay provide the one or more grid control signals to the interfaceto control one or more connections of the power busto the electrical power distribution system. For the current time segment, the microgrid controllermay allocate the DERs to the first group and the second group based on whether the microgridis to be connected to or disconnected from the electrical power distribution system(for example, in addition to the expected grid condition on the microgrid).

In addition, the microgrid controllermay generate, based on the current time segment, one or more first control signals to enable the first group of DERs among the plurality of DERsto supply power to the microgrid. In addition, the microgrid controllermay generate, based on the current time segment, one or more second control signals to disable the second group of DERs among the plurality of DERsfrom supplying power to the microgrid. The second group of DERs may represent a remaining group of DERs that remain after allocating one or more DERs to the first group of DERs. In some cases, a third group of DERs may be identified by the microgrid controlleras backup DERs for the first group of DERs. For example, the third group of DERs may be activated during the current time segment if one or more DERs of the first group of DERs fail or require recharging due to an SOC falling below an SOC threshold. Thus, the microgrid controllermay dynamically group the plurality of DERsbased on the current time segment, and generate control signals (e.g., ESD instructions) for each group.

The microgrid controllermay enable the first group of DERs by connecting each DER of the first group of DERs to the power distribution network of the microgrid(for example, by controlling one or more respective switches). Additionally, the microgrid controllermay disable the second group of DERs by disconnecting each DER of the second group of DERs from the power distribution network of the microgrid(for example, by controlling one or more respective switches).